Founder Profile

Pew is an independent nonprofit organization – the sole beneficiary of seven individual trusts established between 1948 and 1979 by four generous and committed siblings. Learn more about one of our founders: Mary Ethel Pew.

Overview

In California, The Pew Charitable Trusts focuses on evidence-based policies that address the unique needs
of the Golden State and the diversity and complexity of its people, geography, environment, economy, and
infrastructure. California’s pioneering spirit and innovative approaches to governing provide a model for the rest
of the country. Yet, while California’s economy continues to recover and its fiscal outlook improves, challenges
remain. Pew’s research and data-driven advocacy efforts can help inform policymakers and the public on critical
issues facing California and the nation.

The Pew Research Center, a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts, studies unfolding global attitudes and trends
and helps policymakers and the public prepare for the future. The center has conducted public opinion research
in California and throughout the United States since 1991, gauging attitudes on the economy, the environment,
immigration, religion, and more. It does not take policy positions.

Key initiatives

State and consumer initiatives: Throughout the U.S., Pew pursues strategies grounded in facts and research to
improve public policy, foster a vibrant civic life, and enhance the well-being of communities. In California, Pew’s
work has helped strengthen election administration, expand access to dental care, promote the availability of
safe and healthful food, and examine the barriers people face in saving for retirement. Additionally, the Pew-MacArthur
Results First Initiative supports several California counties—as well as the state’s Department of
Corrections and Rehabilitation—in assessing their criminal justice strategies based on rigorous data and guiding
funding and policy decisions to reduce recidivism. These efforts have enabled leaders to improve public safety
outcomes, cut costs, and increase accountability by ensuring that taxpayer dollars are directed toward effective,
cost-beneficial approaches. Across the nation, these and other endeavors are allowing states to find solutions to
some of their most pressing challenges.

Environmental conservation: In California, Pew projects help preserve wilderness, restore biodiversity, increase
understanding of ocean ecology, and promote energy efficiency. Pew collaborates with local organizations and
stakeholders to safeguard public land and use science-based approaches to protect California’s spectacular
landscapes and rich natural resources. Off the coast, Pew is leading efforts to end overfishing, rebuild depleted
fish populations, and improve management of ecologically vital forage fish in California’s waters.

Our mission

The Pew Charitable Trusts is a global nonprofit founded in 1948. For more than 65 years, Pew has turned indifference into action—asking tough questions, studying problems, working with strong partners, and striving for effective solutions that bring diverse stakeholders together.